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Singaporeans say 'no' to foreign influx

People gather on a open field at the speakers corner to listen to people talk about immigration issues, in Singapore on February 16, 2013. AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN

Thousands rallied in Singapore's Hong Lim Park on Saturday to protest the approval of a controversial white paper by the country's ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Last week, the PAP approved plans to increase the Singaporean population to 6.9 million by 2030 by bringing in foreign workers. The proposed plan would increase the population by 30 per cent, with Singaporeans making up just over half the population.

Singaporeans say 'no' to foreign influx

Thousands protest in Hon Lim Park against government plan to boost population.

Some Singaporeans say the white paper ignores existing problems of overcrowding, income inequality, and lack of social services for those already living in the country.

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Kids fighting for their future at Hong Lim Parkoccupysg

so says the herdanarchetype

Singapore protests mirror basic problem of the growth imperative in world of declining resources. We need a new yardstick other than growth.John 'Jack' Daniels

In an online statement, Singapore's main opposition party advocated instead for the government to pursue better economic policy that does not rely on foreign influx:

The Workers’ Party believes that the path proposed by the White Paper will further dilute the Singaporean core and weaken our national identity. It will also lead us to require unsustainable population injections in the future. We believe that the greater well-being of Singaporeans lies in sustainable economic growth driven by increases in our productivity and in our resident workforce, rather than further increases in our dependency on imported foreign labour.wp.sg

On Twitter, Kavisa said the Hong Lim protests are a call for a wider national discussion:

Singapore's strait times still not admitting to strikes or protests within our lion city! Maybe its times to face the flaws of our societyKavisa

The protest featured speeches by opposition party members and activists. Below, Al Jazeera speaks with the protest's organiser, Gilbert Goh:

Singaporeans protest over population planaljazeeraenglish

Approximately 4,000 attended Saturday's protest, which was organised primarily on Facebook.